The Gerald Maurice Interview
Shot by Rene Ramirez
Gerald has a bird’s eye view. From finding new artists to putting sold-out shows together, he has a knack for finding future stars. Gerald is the guy behind the scenes pretty much running some of the biggest concerts in the Bay area. He does it all from being CEO of his booking agency Burdmgmt to being a talent buyer for two venues in the Bay area to also being a community creator. This is why he is in FIRSTPLACE. Read the interview below to learn about his story.
Introduce yourself and what you do exactly.
My name is Gerald Kirwan and I do a whole lot! From putting together concerts, tours, nightclub events, to helping artists get booked on shows and tours. From booking artists at music venues to managing a music venue in San Francisco.
Explain how you got started in the music industry.
At the age of 15 years old I was introduced to the nightlife industry. I started off promoting teen functions at local nightclubs when I was 15 years old (yes, this was a thing back in 2007 before social media). I learned about the nightclub industry at an early age. Throughout my high school years, I was planning, booking and marketing all my events. Once I turned 18 years old that's when I got into 18+ events and started working with Bay area nightlife legend Anthonypresents at that time he was running his company called Tonic Live. We hosted 18+ events at CLUB 525 aka CLUB NV (which is now a sky rise on 3rd & Howard). As I got older I then tested out putting together 21+ events but didn't have much success as I did with 18 & under and 18+.
Most people around 15 years old are more worried about video games. What made you different?
Growing up with no dad and being raised by a single mother it was hard to really listen to my mom when I was influenced by an industry that I wasn’t supposed to be in at that age. I still managed to go to school, pass my classes and help my mom with rent. I understood what it meant to invest your money at an early age and the business of promotions and marketing.
Shot by Rene Ramirez
Why the music industry?
Music has always been in my blood growing up. My mom and family would always listen to music so my love for music is everywhere from the 60’s all the way to music now. I’m an old head when it comes to music but I love the new music as well.
What’s your opinion on the statement that a lot of people make out here and that is “It’s hard for Bay area rappers to blow up”?
I don’t think it's hard to blow up in the Bay area and gain a fanbase out of the Bay area. Now with social media, it's possible. We have Bay area artists who have a bigger fanbase outside the Bay area like Ramirez, Caleborate, Rexx Life Raj and more.
You’re also the CEO of Burd Management. Explain how you got to that point and what exactly Burd Entertainment is.
Growing up I was a picky eater so my mom use to say I eat like a bird. Then when I was thinking of a new name I thought of Burd Management and the reason why I spell it with a “U” is that my mom’s middle name is Burris. Also, no one understands or sees what I see so my bird’s eye view is different from everyone.
What made you want to start Burd Entertainment, especially in a place like the Bay area?
Starting at a very young age I’ve built my own reputation in the industry in the last 15 years so I’ve networked with almost every major venue, nightclub, promoter, booking agent, and artist to the point where I can do the things I can do. No one in the Bay area has shaken the hands I have shaken and I will continue to view things differently.
Shot by Rene Ramirez
We’ve seen instances where promoters only care about the money when it comes to the industry, why aren’t you like that? Why do you care more about growth?
Money comes and goes and yes it's an important thing in life but I’m in this for the long run cause I know sooner or later something major will happen whether I land a major tour I booked or I add more artists to my booking agency (launching summer 2022) or I just keep throwing great shows and take this to other major cities.
As you work with many many artists. How does it feel to see someone’s growth as someone like you who has been there from the beginning?
It’s a great feeling to see artists I've booked in their early careers blow up and continue to make a name for themselves. It's really a good feeling especially when those artists stay in contact with you. So many artists I've worked with within the last 15 years were in their early careers, so it's a blessing to just say I was part of that growth.
Speaking of beginnings, Brick and Mortar was the first venue where Playboi Carti and Lil Uzi Vert performed in the Bay Area. How does it feel to have that accomplishment under your belt? What was that process like?
It was actually at New Parish and to have that under my belt is pretty dope. I don’t talk much about those things but it's cool to say.
Are there any other artists on your radar that you would like or that we can maybe see at Brick and Mortar?
So many artists on my radar and so many more to find. I’m all about finding the needle in the haystack. Finding the hidden gems seeing the bird’s eye view.
At Brick and Mortar, how are you dealing with the reopening and the return of live shows? We know that vaccines are required, do you expect to see more or less of a crowd?
It’s been real tough but we are doing our best to continue to provide a fun and safe environment. I mean we’ve had 15 sold-out shows to end 2021 so it’s getting there!
Shot by Rene Ramirez
Well, more about yourself, what are some hobbies or things you like to do in your free time
I love to eat.
I love to play video games (madden/2k/Ufc/MLB) (Xbox/switch).
I love to travel the world, especially with my future wife Yani.
I love to gamble especially sports betting.
What does the future look like for yourself and Burd Entertainment?
We will continue to put together concerts and tours.
We will continue to provide a platform for independent artists.
We will continue to see things differently.
What is the goal or endgame for yourself and Burd Entertainment?
I want to make Burd Management a multi-music service company where we focus on becoming a booking agency, a promotion company and possibly a management company.
Why do you deserve to be in FIRSTPLACE?
I deserve to be in FIRSTPLACE because I love what I do and I want everyone to win. I will do whatever it takes to make sure my team and everyone I work with finish in first place in everything they do. If they finish in first place then I finish in first place.
Well Gerald is in firstplace! Feel free to check out the Brick & Mortar website for upcoming shows as well as the Burd Management website for shows that Gerald has booked!